Category Archives: Sourcing

Electric Truck Developments

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ZeroTruck Corp. – The company’s ZeroTruck, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis, was recently added to the GSA schedule for government purchasing. The ZeroTruck features a low cab-forward design, a fully automated transmission, a range u to 100 miles and is fully highway capable. The vehicle is available at Central Truck Center of Landover, Maryland and through select Isuzu dealerships in California, Colorado, North Carolina, and New York. Learn more: Your-story.org Comment: While in theory a vehicle like this could offer competition to utility vehicles that are displacing pickup trucks in certain market segments, at a cost of over $100,000 this is not likely to happen anytime soon. – Marc Cesare

Electric Motor Cars – The company has just introduced a two-seat electric pickup which is based on the Dacia Logan. Dacia is a subsidiary of Renault and the trucks are built in Romania. The company reports the vehicles may be assembled in Florida or Iowa in the future. The pick up sells for $33,950 and van and station wagon versions will also be available. The vehicles are powered by nickel sodium chloride, “ZEBRA” batteries, which will charge in 3 hours on 220 volts or up to 8 hours when powered by 110 volts. The company claims a range of 260 miles and reports that around 100 vehicles will be available in about one month. Currently three dealers distribute the vehicles. Learn more: Trucktrend.com

Zap – According to this post Zap is rolling out a larger electric truck for industrial and fleet use. Learn more: Hybridfriends.com

India Electric Truck Market -Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Reva Electric Car Company are planning to launch electric trucks and passenger carriers in the sub-one-tonne segment. Tata Motors has developed an electric version of the Ace which could debut soon. M&M, likewise, is working on a variant for the recently launched 0.9-tonne Maxximo.  The sub-tonne segment in India numbers 100,000 vehicles annually.  The companies are targeting applications for large shopping mall and residential complexes, airports and  intra-city transport.  While there is no mention of  exporting the vehicles to other markets , previously Tata and GEM announced they were working on an electric version of the ACE for the US.

Learn more:  Thehindubusinessline.com

American Custom Golf Carts Develops Highway Speed Prototype

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American Custom Golf Carts Pulse Electric Car

American Custom Golf Carts a producer of LSVs that look like Escalades, Hummers and Roadsters has produced a prototype highway speed electric vehicle.  The Pulse Electric reportedly reaches speeds of 70 mph and is based on a gas powered vehicle from China.  There is no timetable for market launch since the company needs several million dollars for crash testing and airbag system development. Learn more: Carconcerns.blogspot.com

GSA Approves Enova Systems & Smith Electric Vehicles As Suppliers

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The General Services Administration (GSA) which provides vehicles and arranges pricing deals for government and military agencies for the United States has approved vehicles from Enova Systems and Smith Electric Vehicles.  Enova Systems will provide their Enova Ze for the category of all-electric walk-in step vans with a GVWR between 10,001 and 16,000 lbs. for 12, 14, and 16 foot body lengths.  Smith Electric Vehicles is providing their  Newton in the all-electric medium and heavy duty categories with a GVWR of up to 25,500 lbs.  Both companies report they are the exclusive supplier for their respective all-electric vehicle categories.  Enova Systems also supplies Smith Electric Vehicles with electric drive systems for their Newton vehicles.  Learn more:  finance.yahoo.com

Flux Power Chosen As Wheego Battery Supplier

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Last week Flux Power of Vista, CA was chosen by Wheego Electric Cars to supply batteries for the Wheego Whip LSV as well as their full speed electric vehicle, the Wheego Whip LiFe FSV, which they expect to ship this summer.

Flux Power will provide Wheego Electric Cars with advanced energy systems that combine high power and energy density with excellent safety and life cycle performance. These systems include Flux Power’s “Cell Guard™” Technology that extends the life of lithium batteries.

Flux Power combines Lithium based batteries with their proprietary management system and claim to greatly extend cycle life.

Learn more: Businesswire.com


Company News

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Nivel Holdings – At the end of 2009 Nivel Holdings completed their acquisition of Jake’s Carts, a leading provider of lift kits for the golf car market.  The company has become a subsidiary of Nivel Parts.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

Kandi Technologies Corporation –has entered into an alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. and Tianneng Power International, Ltd with a goal of mass producing electric vehicles. The alliance combines the IT equipment and service of CNOOC, battery production from Tianneng Power International, vehicle production from Kandi as well as governmental support.  Kandi produces the COCO LSV.  Part of vehicle concept focuses on easy battery removal and replacement and battery rentals.  Learn more:  Worldmarketmedia.com

Ameritex – will supply canvas doors for GEM vehicles.  The company is a division of Taylor Made which designs and manufactures windshields.  Ameritex is trying to diversify their business which has suffered from the downturn in the marine industry and is investigating the resort, consumer, recreational vehicle and golf cart industries.
Learn more: Tampabay.bizjournals.com

Recent Company News

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Navistar and Modec complete joint venture agreement – Navistar International and Modec completed their joint venture agreement for the production of Class 2c-3 commercial trucks. The all electric trucks will be produced in Elkhart, Indiana. In 2010 400 of the trucks are expected to be produced. Learn more: Tradingmarkets.com

Northwire introduces charging cable for electric vehicles – Northwire, Inc. announced the availability of CoilBoss Retractile Cords for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. All EV Cable options are available in standard or custom configurations. Customization includes hybrid designs, colors, private labeling and more. Learn more: Northwire.com

GM & SAIC Motor Corp pursuing venture – GM and SAIC Motor Corp, China’s largest automaker, are looking to create a joint venture to sell minivans, mini-trucks and mini cars in the Indian market.  It would be a 50-50 joint venture.  Learn more:  Wheels.unwireindia.com

Smith Electric Vehicles places battery order with Valence Technology – Smith Electric Vehicles placed a $1.4 million order with Valence Technology for batteries to be used in their Newton electric truck being produced in Kansas.  Learn more:  austin.bizjournals.com

Think thinking of Indiana for plant site – Think North America is in negotiations with officials from the state of Indiana and Elkhart County as it tries to decide on where to locate a manufacturing plant.  Besides Indiana, Oregona and Michigan have been on their short list.  Elkhart County is considering ten years of tax abatements to attract the company.  Learn more:  WSBT.com

E-Z-Go Wins IndustryWeek Best Plants Award

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E-Z-Go’s Augusta, Georgia plant that produces golf cars and turf utility vehicles earned a 2009 IndustryWeek Best Plants Award.  Using a continuous improvement process management dramatically improved a number of operating benchmarks and even brought some parts manufacturing back in-house. Key improvements from 2005 to 2008 include:

Plant specific

  • 90% increase in plant-level profitability in past three years
  • Inventory turns improved by 30% between 2005 and 2008
  • More than 1 million hours without a lost-time injury using a behavior based safety program

Company wide

  • Increased profitability 200%
  • Cut its supplier base by 60%
  • Improved first-pass yield by 24%

One highlight for the plant was the introduction of E-Z-Go’s new AC drive golf car, the RXV.  The company used benchmarks from BMW, Harley-Davidson and Honda to build a new production line and then ramp up  to full production in only seven weeks.  Management makes several benchmarking trips to other companies during the year. Learn more:  IndustryWeek.com

Tazzari Zero Revealed At Bologna Auto Show

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Tazzari Zero

Tazzari Zero City Car

The Tazzari Zero city car debuted at the Bologna Auto Show earlier this week. Aiming at the high end of the market, the stylish and sporty Tazzari Zero features a 160 Ah lithium battery pack, a range of 88 miles in economy mode and an MSRP of $29,900. The Italian made vehicle has a top speed of 56 mph which can be electronically reguated and operates on a 72 volt system. Standard features include a radio and CD player, leather seats, heating system and anti-theft device. The vehicle will be available in the US in 2010 as an LSV, and will be distributed by Verdek-EV. Learn more: Autoblog Green

Comment: At that price for an LSV it will probably be purchased more by collector types or higher end buyers willing to tinker with the speed controls. If medium speed regulations are adopted, and that’s a big if, the vehicle becomes more viable but still limited to the higher end of the market or perhaps a younger demographic willing to spend extra money for the “cool” factor. – Marc Cesare

Garia Premieres Golf Car; LSV Version Will Launch In March 2010

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Garia Luxury Golf Car

Garia Luxury Golf Car

Targeting the luxury golf car segment Denmark based Garia had their world premiere for their Garia golf car.

… The Garia features a double wishbone front suspension similar to those found in sports cars and inspired by Formula 1 cars. The drive train is built by an Italian company that also produces Ducati gearboxes. The aluminum profiles in the frame are made by the same company that supplies aluminum profiles to Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo. Hydraulic brakes on all four wheels with discs in the front and drums at the rear. The Garia is manufactured at the Valmet Automotive factory in Finland, manufacturer of the Porsche Cayman and Porsche Boxster.

Top it all off with an in-built refrigerator, hand-stitched seats and an exclusive personalization program where you can choose to have The Garia painted in your favorite color or matched to your other cars.

The vehicle features a 4hp AC motor and is powered by six 8 volt Trojan batteries. The base MSRP for the Garia is $17,499.

In March 2010 at the Geneva Auto Show Garia will launch an LSV version of the vehicle for the US market.

Learn more: Garia.com

Club Car Increasing Vehicle Prices 2.5%

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Driven by sharp increases in commodity prices, Club Car announced that prices 2010 for golf cars and utility vehicles will increase about 2.5% immediately.  The main commodities contributing to the price increase are lead, copper and aluminum.  According to the report Club Car annually uses approximately 20 million pounds of lead for batteries, eight to 10 million pounds of aluminum for vehicle chassis and significant amounts of copper for wiring in electric motors and other components.  In the last year commodity costs have increased an estimated 35% for lead, 50% for copper and 15% for aluminum.  Learn more:  Blogs.augusta.com-Scuttlebiz

Comment: It will be interesting to see if E-Z-Go or other manufacturers, especially electric vehicle manufacturers follow suit.  If the economy improves over the next year it is likely to drive demand for these commodities even higher. – Marc Cesare